Pōhinahina
Vitex rotundifolia
A sprawling shrub (2-3ft.) with rounded leaves that are silvery-green in color on top and whitish underneath. Small purple flowers form clusters which emerge at the top of the plant and sit in a pocket of the top leaves, very cool looking and it is definitely a striking site when a large area is in full bloom.
He lāʻau kolo ka pōhinahina (ʻelua a ʻekolu kapuaʻi). Poepoe nā lau hinahina, a poni nā pua ma ka wēlau o nā kā.
This is an indigenous plant meaning that it is native to Hawaiʻi as well as other parts of the Pacific, even Japan! Here it is found on sandy coasts of all the main islands except Kaho’olawe although it may have occurred there in the past.
Ulu ka pōhinahina i ʻō a ʻō o Moananuiākea. Ulu nō hoʻi ka pōhinahina ma Iāpana. Ma kēia pae ʻāina, ulu ka pōhinahina ma kahakai o nā mokupuni a pau, koe ʻo Kahoʻolawe. Ulu nō naʻe paha ma laila ma ka wā kahiko.
The fragrant leaves of this plant can be layered between folded kapa to repel insects but now days I guess you can put them in your BVD drawers. The leaves and flowers can also be arranged in head leis (lei po’o), very nice.
He pale nā lau pōhinahina i ka mū ʻai kapa. Wili ʻia nō hoʻi nā lau me nā pua i lei.
An excellent plant for use in stabilizing soil. As it grows, the branches lean over and root at the nodes that are touching the ground. They make excellent ground covers for slopes that need help with erosion control. Generally, Pohinahina are quick growers and require very little water, they thrive in full sun. These plants respond well to pruning and can be formed into a low hedge; they also look great in pots for your lanai. To cover large areas, plant spacing of every two feet on center is close enough; they’ll fill in just fine. Few pests are known to bother this plant. I often refer to this plant as “Bullet Proof” because it is so hardy and easy to take care of. If you kill this plant then yes, your thumbs are brown.
He lāʻau maikaʻi ka pōhinahina no ka hoʻopaʻa ʻana i ka lepo. Luhe iho nā lālā o ka pōhinahina, a kupu mai nā aʻa i ka moe ʻana ma ka lepo. Wikiwiki ka ulu ʻana o ka pōhinahina a ʻaʻole pono ka wai he nui. E kanu i kahi e pā nui ai ka lā. Nani nō hoʻi ka paʻipaʻi ʻana i ka pōhinahina. Hiki nō hoʻi ke mālama i ka pōhinahina i loko o nā mea poho kanu ma ka lānai. No ke kanu nui ʻana, ʻelua kapuaʻi ke kōwā ma waena o nā pōhinahina. ʻAʻole nō nui nā mū e pilikia ai ka pōhinahina.
Besides Pohinahina depending on which island you are on, this plant is also known as Kolokolo Kahakai, Hinahina Kolo, Manawanawa, Mawanawana, and here on O’ahu it is known as Polinalina.
He mau inoa ʻē aʻe no ka pōhinahina: kolokolo kahakai, hinahina kolo, mānawanawa, māwanawana, a pōlinalina (ma Oʻahu).